Documented artwork / interactive robotic sculpture

The Hand of Man

A large mechanical hand and forearm reproduce movements made through a human-size glove controller. The event organizer describes the hydraulic sculpture as capable of lifting and crushing cars, with visitors invited to control its movements.

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Documented work. Current availability, ownership and installation requirements must be confirmed with the artist.

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Image: christianristow.com ↗

At a glance

Year / version: 2008
Materials: steel, stainless steel
Documented setting: outdoor
Dimensions: 26-foot long
Dimensions apply to: Length stated for The Hand of Man in the 2018 World Maker Faire exhibit listing; operating clearance and footprint are not supplied.
Availability: Unconfirmed

Places & versions

Installation history

Historical presentations. A past installation does not establish the current location or suitability for a new site.

2008
Burning Man, Black Rock City
Event
Burning Man
Start year
2008
Date meaning
listing
Installation details checked 2026-10-17.
Installation source
2018
World Maker Faire New York
Event
World Maker Faire New York
Start date
2018-09-22
End date
2018-09-23
Date meaning
listing
Installation details checked 2026-10-17.
Installation source

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Research notes for project planning

How this work was made and presented

The Hand of Man, Burning Man 2008

The controller is part of the sculpture

Burning Man’s 2008 archive describes a steel and stainless-steel hand and forearm whose hydraulic movement follows a participant using a human-scale glove controller. Movement from the operator’s elbow forward is reproduced by the larger mechanism. The event’s account emphasizes the experience of power and control while lifting or crushing objects. This establishes the original interaction concept; it does not specify the operating envelope, staffing or visitor procedures for a future event.

Burning Man — 2008 art installation archive ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-10

For your project brief

What operator supervision, participant interface and separation between machinery and audience does the current technical rider require?

Big Art Partners planning prompt

World Maker Faire New York, September 2018

A later presentation in a maker festival

World Maker Faire New York listed The Hand of Man for September 22–23, 2018, identifying Christian Ristow and inviting visitors to try the glove-controlled sculpture. The listing describes a 26-foot hydraulic hand capable of lifting and crushing cars, and categorizes it with kinetic art, engineering, fabrication and robotics. That context supports a conversation about presenting the work alongside educational programming, while leaving the actual demonstration schedule and site requirements to the artist and event team.

Maker Faire — The Hand of Man, 2018 ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-10

For your project brief

Would the proposed event focus on a demonstration, participant operation or interpretation of the mechanism, and what does each format require?

Big Art Partners planning prompt

Interactive art installations ↗Outdoor sculpture & installations ↗Art documented at Burning Man ↗